Be the change.

The political science major is designed to provide an understanding of the political forces, institutions, ideas, and problems of contemporary society.

Our curriculum prepares students for graduate studies and professional careers in law, politics, teaching, journalism, government, and international civil service.

Our top faculty, our innovative teaching styles, and our emphasis on experiential learning set the study of political science at Washington College apart from other places. Co-curricular programming through the Goldstein Program in Public Affairs and the Institute for Religion, Politics and Culture offers students a myriad of opportunities, including lectures by world-renowned experts, field trips, internships and short-term study abroad.

Political science students at Washington College also benefit from the college’s close proximity to our nation’s capital as well as Annapolis, the Maryland state capital. Many of our students complete internships or volunteer to work for political parties, nongovernmental organizations or campaigns during election season.

Spotlight

The dynamic and evolving role of women in national and local politics is going to have an enormous impact on the 2018 elections. WC’s Melissa Deckman will be watching and analyzing as a national expert on the new, non-partisan Gender Watch 2018 project.

Faculty in the News

Melissa Deckman, Chair and Professor of Political Science, is quoted in Mic about Democrats’ difficulty in winning over many white Republican women in the mid-term elections. Deckman says that using gender politics can frequently backfire among white Republican women, who more broadly oppose feminism and issues like abortion rights and LGBTQ rights.

Looking at the key takeaways from the gubernatorial election in Maryland, WAMU quotes Melissa Deckman, Chair and Professor of Political Science, about how the loss by Ben Jealous will provoke soul-searching among Democrats. Deckman says that right now, the state’s Democrats lack a clear vision or message.

Melissa Deckman, Chair and Professor of Political Science, is interviewed by WAMU in a story about the difficulties that Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ben Jealous has had in getting his message out to voters.